Pit bulls are not nanny dogs – Pit Bull Federation of South Africa

However, do you or that ‘someone’ have any knowledge of the pit bull breed and know what it entails to be a responsible owner?

Lins Rautenbach, of the Pit Bull Federation of South Africa (PBFSA), provides the following guidelines.

A pit bull is a pit bull, registered or not?

According to Rautenbach, this is not true. As with any breed of dog, temperament is over 60 per cent inherited.

Your puppy’s temperament is pre-determined before birth. No amount of love or training can remove a faulty temperament.

Online breeders, be they registered or unregistered, do not have an understanding of genetics. They breed male to female and that is where it ends. Being registered does not mean that a dog’s temperament is guaranteed.

How do you choose a breeder, if that is the route you want to take?

* Ask your breeder for copies of both parents’ papers and send them to pro@pbfsa.co.za.

These will be passed on to the correct people who will look at the pedigrees, ask you questions and advise you.

* Never buy unregistered dogs. There is no proof that what you are buying is a purebred pit bull.

* A pedigree is proof of lineage. It also provides valuable information to those in the know about your dog’s ancestry.

* Registered does not equal well bred. It purely means the dog is registered.

* Ask your breeder for the parents’ show and working titles.  If your breeder is not selling on a contract, walk away. Any breeder who is legitimate will want to protect their bloodline. No contract means you and your dog are viewed as an income.

* True breeders will also take your pup back should you not be able to keep him or her.

* Health issues, such as skin issues, heart defects and orthopaedic issues, are genetic. Legitimate breeders will not breed with dogs that have these complaints. Greedy breeders do not care and you could be in for massive vet bills.

You want to adopt a rescue. High-five for wanting to do good, but rescued dogs are not automatic saints.

* Research the shelter you are adopting from. Ask questions, such as the name of the behaviourist and trainer who worked with the dog you plan on adopting.

Ask the rescuer what breed experience they have. If they tell you stories of the nanny dog, it is how you raise them, or they are just like other dogs – walk away. Do not get bullied or feel guilty to adopt a dog who could potentially attack you or your family. Responsible rescuers do not take chances; they are honest about the breed.

What type of home and owner does the American Pit Bull need?

* A home that accepts the breed’s natural propensity for dog aggression.

If you can’t split your dog from other pets when you are not supervising the dog or you cannot split your pit bull from other pets if your pit bull doesn’t get along with your other pets, the pit bull is not for you.

If you want to take your dog to play dates or you want to be able to take your dog to off-leash places, the pit bull is not for you.

* An owner who is dedicated to early and ongoing socialisation and training at a force-free trainer that continues throughout the dog’s life. If you are not able to do this, the pit bull is not for you.

* An owner who is committed to ongoing environmental management. Your pit bull will need to be safely contained in your garden and you are responsible for ensuring that your dog is not a nuisance to neighbours and the people around it.

* An owner who ensures the safety of all children and your dog. These are not nanny dogs – children should be taught to respect dogs and owners must never leave children unattended with the family dog ever.

* An owner who will sterilise their dogs.

Breeding should be left to the very small percentage of people who knows what they are doing.

“Pit bulls are wonderful dogs that require a special owner. If you cannot meet their needs, please admire them from a distance,” said Rautenbach.